The Federal Government has dismissed talks of an Atiku and Obi alliance ahead of 2027 polls.
Minister Festus Keyamo says the opposition lacks strategy and cannot unseat President Tinubu.
The Federal Government has played down talks of a possible political alliance between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, saying the move is unlikely to stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this known during a political programme aired on Sunday. He described the proposed alliance as a “wasted effort” and said it lacked the strength to challenge the ruling party.
Keyamo argued that the political strategies being used by parties like the African Democratic Congress (ADC) were already outdated and ineffective. “They know us very well, and we also know them very well. Some of these tactics are what I call 419 tactics. These tactics have expired,” he said.
He also criticized a top opposition figure without naming him for living a lavish lifestyle while presenting himself as a man of the people. “One of them is busy disgracing wealth every day, putting 500 cars in his garage and telling Nigerians he wants to rescue them,” he added.
Keyamo stated that the focus should remain on the performance of the Tinubu administration, especially in terms of the economy. He claimed that the fundamentals were improving, citing growing government revenue, stable foreign reserves, and a recovering naira.
“These are indices of a healthy economy. It is the trickle-down effect that will finally free up spaces for jobs and put money in the pockets of Nigerians,” he said.
He dismissed criticisms over the rising cost of living and food prices, saying the opposition was using emotional arguments to distract from real progress. “They are using the prices of food items like yams to paint a grim picture, but they ignore the broader economic improvements,” he said.
Keyamo also echoed President Tinubu’s earlier remark that the opposition was a “coalition of confused people.” While welcoming political competition, he expressed confidence that the ruling party would remain dominant.
According to him, the combined votes of Atiku and Obi in 2023 would still fall short of Tinubu’s 8.4 million votes. He also suggested that the factors which boosted Obi’s popularity in the last election would no longer work in 2027.
He said Obi’s support came largely from Christian voters, South-East loyalty, and young Nigerians, but warned that two of those support bases could disappear if Obi accepts a vice-presidential slot.
“If Obi is made a deputy, the Christian demography will pull out and become apolitical,” he said, adding that the First Lady, being a pastor, also appeals to Christian voters.
He concluded that the youth, who once rallied behind Obi, may not support a joint ticket led by Atiku, who would be 80 by the next election.
“These parties cannot campaign for an 80-year-old Muslim president. The youth won’t follow them,” he said.
